Wyandotte Football Fan Mike Miller Dies at 78

There’ll be a smiling face missing from Wyandotte’s football games this season.

, one of the Bears’ biggest fans, died Saturday, June 18. He was 78.

Miller, once a football player himself, was offered an athletic scholarship to Washington and Lee University, but gave it up to enter the workforce and provide for his family.

He never lost his love for the sport and cheered on the for years. If the Bears were on the football field practicing or playing, Miller could be seen resting his elbows on top of the fence around the field, watching.

In 1997, he had a stroke that left him unable to speak or walk. For years, his family was able to care for him and he was able to communicate with them using his own signs. After having part of his leg amputated, it became too difficult for the family to care for him on their own.

Two years ago, he was moved into Rivergate Terrace in Riverview. It was there where members of the football team recently surprised him with an unannounced visit.

Staffers wheeled Miller to the dining room with a blindfold around his eyes.

Four Roosevelt football players–Hunter Matt, Tony Parker, Tyler Dunn and Tyler Hamilton–stood in front of him wearing their football jerseys.

When the blindfold was removed, Miller’s eyes took a second to focus on the players and then lit up, along with his smile. He shook each player's hand as his eyes teared up.

The players and their fan spent time looking at old photos, sharing stories and creating new memories.

Miller is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Joan; eight children, James, Diane (Michael) Hennessy, Cathy (John) Mathers, Sharon (Kevin) Whitehill, Linda (James) Szablinski, Joyce (Kiprian) Miles, Walter, and Nicole (Jason) Beaudette; and 28 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan (Nathan) Kean, and a son, Christopher.

Visitation is from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at . A funeral service will be held at noon Saturday at the funeral home.